Redskins Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Ravens Edition
Wow. The Washington Redskins have pulled off their fourth consecutive win in a bitter sweet victory over Beltway rival Baltimore in overtime, 31-28. Bitter sweet because of the knee injury to QB Robert Griffin III. And , folks, it doesn't look good for RG3 Who gets the Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down?
THUMBS UP: There are several we can give, but we need to only give two because we always have.
QB Kirk Cousins: Unlike bullpen relievers in baseball, Cousins had very little time to warm up. I am almost positive that most Redskins fans thought the game was over who RG3 went down with a knee injury. However, Kirk Cousins had a different outlook. He delivered a huge TD strike to Pierre Garçon, rolling out under pressure, to pull the Redskins to within two points. Cousins wasn't done. On the two point conversion, Cousins took the snap, ran the ball right up the middle and converted the two point conversion, sending the game into overtime. Cousins once again endeared himself to Redskins fans with a game saving performance in the midst of RG3 disaster. He deserves a HUGE Thumbs Up!
K Kai Forbath: What else can you say about this kid. Forbath nailed 49 and 48 yard field goals and then connected the 34 yard game winner in overtime to lead the Redskins to a stunning 31-28 win in overtime. Forbath's three field goals this game kept him perfect on the season at 14 for 14. If you still had little doubt about Forbath, this game likely sealed any of that doubt. Forbath's three converted field goals were right down the gut. His accuracy is astounding. The Redskins, after nearly twenty years, have found their kicker.
Honorable Mention: CB Richard Crawford: How about that. Mike Shanahan has finally given up on Brandon Banks in the return game, making him inactive. Crawford came up huge in overtime, returning a punt 64 yards to put the Redskins within field goal range. Forbath connected the 34 yarder to win it. Right when the Redskins needed a huge return, Crawford delivered.
THUMBS DOWN
CB DeAngelo Hall: Hall gave up a TD pass, just clearly beaten. Then, stunningly, Hall allowed Anquan Boldin to complete a 28 yard pass reception late in the fourth quarter, focusing too much on trying to punch the ball out of Boldin's hands, rather than make the tackle. That allowed Boldin to pick up nearly 8 additional yards. Pathetic display of defense by Hall. Hall is what he is. He is regularly inconsistent. None more so than today. A bad game for DHall.
TE Niles Paul: Paul had a dropped pass that would have been a first down. Even more so, late in the game, he laid the ball on the field on a kick return. Fortunately, the recovery by Baltimore was overturned by replay and the Redskins were able to keep the football. If not, that would have been the back breaker. Give me Aldrick Robinson on kick returns please.
